He said, ‘Right, I’m going to blow everyone out of the water, I’m going to bring in the best manager in the world, we’re going to shake up the traditional five or six clubs,’ and he was as good as his word.

But all that appears to have disappeared and there no longer seems to be a vision.

Abramovich very rarely speaks publicly as Chelsea owner (Image: PA)

They lurch from one season to the next, winning the league then finishing 10th, winning it again then finishing fifth, changing managers along the way, and it all seems a bit of mess.

The fact it took so long to sack Antonio Conte when everyone knew he was toast weeks ago hasn’t helped.

Nor has appointing Maurizio Sarri just three weeks before the start of the season.

So if I were a Chelsea fan I’d be thinking the time is right for some words from the top to let us know where we’re going.

Sarri has been appointed as the new Chelsea manager (Image: Imago)

Conte was sacked as Chelsea manager three weeks before the start of the season (Image: Reuters)

A mission statement from Abramovich, even if it comes via his club’s chief exec.

We want the new manager to win the Premier League in the next two years.

We want to get back into a Champions League final and win it within three years.

The stadium development is only a minor blip, we will revisit that in the next 18 months and give you a definitive answer on where we will call home for the foreseeable future.

In other words, just let Chelsea fans know the script.

Because Pep Guardiola is changing Manchester City’s DNA, Manchester United have Jose Mourinho trying to go toe-to-toe with his old foe, Jurgen Klopp has given Liverpool a clear identity, Arsenal have a new manager and new signings, and Tottenham are preparing to move into their new stadium.

Some kind of statement is needed from Abramovich (Image: Getty Images Europe)

Chelsea seems a bit chaotic and we haven’t even mentioned the futures of Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois.

I’d cash in on Hazard, particularly if I could get £150million-odd for him, because his best days are behind him at Chelsea, even though he had a very good World Cup.

And I’d use the funds he’d provide to breathe new life into the side as well as bringing through the brightest young stars in a brilliant academy to re-enthuse Abramovich.

We know Sarri is capable of producing some very exciting football, he showed us that at Napoli, and there’s nothing to stop him bringing that to Chelsea.

Sarri's arrival will at least bring attacking football on the pitch (Image: Chelsea FC)

Chelsea fans deserve answers from Abramovich over the future of the club (Image: Getty Images Europe)

The template is clear because right now they aren’t a pressing side, they’re a good footballing side but not a great one, they’re a good defensive side but not a great one, so an identity is there to be claimed.

The question Chelsea must now ask is, ‘What are we?’

And the answer to it has to come from the top.

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